The courthouse balcony is not just for aesthetics; it served a practical purpose. Much like during Colonial Times, when messengers would stand outside of a town hall meeting with a bell, shouting, “Hear ye, hear ye!,” announcements would also be made from the courthouse balcony at regular times, during which members of the public could gather to listen from the lawn down below. One of the last announcements to occur on this balcony was made in 1934, when standing right here, the Ellis County Sheriff became the first person to announce to the world that Bonnie and Clyde had been killed. After the notorious crime duo was ambushed by Frank Hamer and his former Texas Rangers in Louisiana, the Ellis County Sheriff was notified of the occurrence through personal connections and announced it from the courthouse balcony even before major news outlets had covered the story.

     Extravagant traditions occurred on this balcony as well. Each year, the county hosted a Thanksgiving “turkey toss,” which was exactly what it sounds like. Live turkeys would be tossed from the balcony; any member of the public who caught one was entitled to take it home – “government handouts,” the rural, old-fashioned way! Although this may offend modern sensibilities, skeptics need only consult YouTube for evidence that this was once a common tradition across the United States.

     Note also that there is an ample amount of carved graffiti on the balcony, which would be cleaned off, except that it is historic graffiti. To the left of the office window (not the Jury Room window), a repeated signature appears – presumably from a young boy, who returned year after year to leave his mark on the courthouse – with his oldest signature being dated to 1936. At the corner of the balcony, you will also see that someone inscribed his name with the year 1945 – perhaps a World War Two veteran commemorating his return home. In other places, you will see additional signatures, hearts, Tic Tac Toe games, and other symbols. The presence of this graffiti on the courthouse balcony serves as an important reminder of how times have changed. Whereas today courthouses are locked down by TSA-style security, courthouses in Texas were historically open to the public, and in fact, served as a major hub of local activity. It was not unusual for picnics to be held on the courthouse lawn, and children or teens would evidently be left unattended on the balcony long enough to produce these carvings with their pocketknives. While we won’t condone graffiti, Ellis County officials do intend to return the Historic Courthouse to its original status as being a central gathering point for the community, open for all to explore and enjoy as a part of our shared, Ellis County heritage.